By ED PILOLLA

Staff writer

The busy intersection of US-56 and N. Adams St. will receive a significant upgrade to improve safety, with both a left and right turn lane added to the highway for easier access to N. Adams St.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is expected to complete the project this summer, City Administrator Larry Paine said.

The intersection currently does not have turning lanes into town for either eastbound or westbound drivers.

City council member David Loewen said he makes sure to turn his car signal on “way ahead of time” as he approaches Adams St. while driving along US-56.

“It’s a scary intersection,” Loewen said.

The intersection is especially busy because school bus routes use N. Adams St., including the high school, middle school, elementary school and Tabor College, Paine said.

“It will be a big improvement,” said Mayor Delores Dalke.

Five proposals were submitted. The low bidder awarded the work at $335,264 was David Hett of Hett Construction, Marion.

KDOT is paying for the construction project after the city paid for the engineering report. The city council approved a resolution Tuesday authorizing the construction project.

In other business:

• The city council unanimously approved a special use permit for the elementary school to begin a school farm on campus. The plan includes a maximum of two bucket calves, two gestating ewes, two gestating nannies, a gestating sow and chickens. The chickens, which have a moveable chicken house on site, may arrive as soon as this spring while the larger animals would not arrive until the proper housing, lighting and fencing are in place, officials said.
• The council approved a cereal malt beverage license for Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, which is scheduled to open in the spring. So far, only the store manager has been hired, city officials said.
• The council approved a contract with Craig Dodd of Chisholm Trail Outfitters, LLC for the sale of a lot next to his business in Hillsboro Heights. Dodd would pay a $500 down payment and the balance of $6,250 at closing. Dodd would not take possession of the property until he closes the sale, which he has two years to do. If someone else wants to buy the property, Dodd would have 30 days to buy it. If Dodd decides not to buy the lot, he forfeits the $500. “Basically, what he is getting with his down payment is the first right to buy it,” said Clint Seibel, director of economic development for Hillsboro.